CSS Evening Talk: Islamist Terrorism and Security Policy in Europe

Thomas Schöttli, vice director of the Federal Intelligence Service, and Guido Steinberg, researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin were the two speakers at the Evening Talk discussing “Islamist Terrorism and Security Policy in Europe” on 13 September 2016. Both speakers agreed that the so-called “Islamic State” (IS) will still be a long-term threat to Europe, despite its military losses in Syria. IS is still able to exert a pull and makes use of a strong ideology. Although Switzerland may not be in focus, it can still be affected by IS activities such as terrorist attacks. The speakers argued that there needs to be further effort across Europe to strengthen the institutions responsible for internal security. Also, a better coordination between these institutions remains desirable.